University News

Timely Warning Update: Arrest Made [10:30 a.m.]

March 6, 2013

From the Macomb Police Department (03-08-13):
On 03-07-13 Alvin Montgomery of Macomb was arrested for his involvement in the reported 911 call of a subject with a gun at 509 West Murray Street in Macomb on 03-06-13. He was charged with Disorderly Conduct: Making a false 911 Call and Attempt Obstruction of Justice for attempting to delete information from a cellular phone. He was lodged in the McDonough County Jail awaiting a bond hearing on the current charges. Montgomery was also charged with an outstanding warrant out of Dekalb County, IL. (According to Chief Barker: making the false 911 call is a class 4 felony)

Update: 11:40 p.m.

Macomb Police Department Chief Curt Baker reported, following an investigation, police have concluded the 911 call for 509 W. Murray St. was a prank phone call. The tenants at the residence were not responsible for the phone call. Police are investigating the incident and are working to locate the owner of the phone from which the 911 call originated. At the time of the call, police sealed Murray Street and later evacuated nearby homes for the safety of others because the initial 911 call indicated an individual with a firearm within the residence. All 911 calls are taken seriously and the police did not wish to take chances, particularly when a call involved a possible firearm. After repeated phone calls and knocks at the door, the Illinois State Police Tactical Response team sent a robot into the home, and it was discovered that no one was present in the residence. Murray Street has been reopened and nearby residents have been allowed to return to their homes. Macomb Police will release further information when the investigation concludes.

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Update - 10 p.m.

Update from 10 p.m. ISP briefing: "No change in situation, perimeter in tact. ISP expect to have more info. available at 11:30 p.m. briefing."

-------------------------------------------Update - 9:12 p.m.

From the Illinois State Police: "Police are evacuating houses in the immediate vicinity as a safety precaution. The perimeter around the area has been established, and the police to continue to gather more information and resources. The Illinois State Police cannot confirm or deny a hostage situation at this time." The next briefing will be held at 10 p.m."
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Update - 8:40 p.m.

From the Illinois State Police: "At approx. 6 p.m. a 911 call was received at the McDonough County Dispatch and law enforcement responded. The perimeter was established, and law enforcement is currently gathering additional resources and information. This is an ongoing incident. We ask the citizens to stay away from the affected area—from the University border on going west on Murray Street. Once more information is determined, it will be released at a future briefing." According to ISP Trooper Dan Hill, the next briefing is scheduled for 9 p.m.

------------------------Update - 8 p.m.

The Illinois State Police will provide a briefing at 8 p.m. More information will follow.

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MACOMB, IL - - The University has received a report from the Macomb Police Department that an individual called 911 to report a person with a firearm in a residence in the 500 block of West Murray St. Police are on the scene and the 500 block of West Murray Street has been sealed off. At this time, nothing has been found. The campus community is asked to stay away from this area until the issue is resolved. For more information, contact the Macomb Police Department at (309) 833-4505.